Terry Stephen Polston, 52, of Winona Lake, died at 1:14 p.m. Dec. 2, 2008, in Kosciusko Community Hospital, Warsaw, after a six-year battle with cancer.
He was born May 25, 1956, to Porter and Yolanda Dasch Polston. In 1981, he married Mary McNally, who survives.
He was a lifetime resident of Warsaw and Winona Lake. He was a Warsaw High School graduate and received an associate of science degree in conservation and law enforcement from Vincennes University.
A dedicated public servant, he served five years with the Winona Lake Police Dept. and 26 years with the Warsaw Police Dept. The last 15 years of his career were spent as a DARE officer in the Warsaw school system. He was known as "O.P." to thousands of young people. He received several honors for his work with youth, including Officer of the Year, Indiana DARE Officer of the Year and received a special citation in 2008 from President George W. Bush.
Also surviving are a daughter, Courtney (and spouse Chris) Erick; a son, Justin; his mother, Yolanda; a brother, Randy Polston and family; two sisters, Bonnie Andrew and family and Connie Jetter and family. He was preceded in death by his father, Porter Polston.
A memorial celebration will be at 3 p.m. Sunday in the Tiger Den at Warsaw Community High School with Pastor Dennis Wilson officiating. Burial will be private.
No calling is planned.
*****
Memorials to the Sgt. Terry S. Polston Memorial Fund, c/o Kosciusko Community Foundation, 201 W. Market St., Warsaw, IN 46580.
Condolences may be sent to mchattonsadlerfuneralchapels.com
